Does common sense exist today? Common sense refers to practical judgment and sound reasoning in everyday situations. It involves understanding basic truths about the world and applying that knowledge to make sensible decisions. Common sense helps people navigate life's challenges, solve problems, and make choices that are generally accepted as rational or logical. None of us are born with common sense, we develop it over time.
The notion of "common sense" often conjures up images of practical wisdom, sound judgment, and basic reasoning abilities. It's the type of knowledge that is expected to be widely understood and applied across different situations. However, in contemporary society today, there's a prevalent sense that common sense isn't as common as it once was during my youth.
Common courtesy, on the other hand, is about showing respect, consideration, and politeness towards others. It involves adhering to social norms and etiquette to ensure smooth and respectful interactions with others. Common courtesy encompasses behaviors such as saying "please" and "thank you," holding the door for someone, or offering your seat to someone in need.
Over the years I have watched the value of common courtesy vanish. In my family, kindness and common sense were taught and drilled into the minds of my siblings and me. For fun at the dinner table, my mother would tell us a story about an event on her way home from work. Then she would ask us, how would we act in each situation if we used common sense, respect, and kindness. As children, we enjoyed playing this game together as we shared our thoughts and feelings. One of the stories that made an impression on me, even until this day was when she described an older woman with a cane getting on a crowded bus or tram. She looked at each of us and asked, what would you do if you were on this public transport? Our answers were identical. We each responded that we would greet the elderly woman and offer her our seat. Today, things have gotten worse, and respect for our elders, pregnant women, and disabled people doesn't seem to exist anymore.
Common sense and courtesy are not so common. Each day with doing daily activities or running errands I am often shocked at how many people lack common sense without even knowing it or caring about anyone else besides themselves. There is always that one bad-mannered person in class or on public transportation who sneezes, coughs, or yawns without covering their mouth. Or the person who takes up two seats on a crowded subway, bus, or tram just because they like to sit with their legs spread out. Have you ever experienced either of these scenes?
If you think of yourself as having good manners, most of these annoying things probably will be a no-brainer for you. Here are a few reminders of what to do and not to do when in a public space:
Blocking the exit. Not letting people exit public transportation or elevators before trying to enter. It makes a lot more sense than you trying to push yourself into the crowd who’s trying to get out anyway. Just stand aside, let people out, and then enter.
Not using auto-turning signals. When did it become normal for people to ignore the most basic driving rules? Sometimes, I have seen drivers refuse to allow pedestrians to cross in an area designated for that purpose.
Being rude to your server. Can you imagine working a 12-hour shift, always on your feet, tired as hell, and then dealing with the most annoying and rude customers? Don’t be that person who thinks waitresses and waiters must deal with your terrible attitude. They’re just here to do their job and leave, don’t make it harder than it is. Besides, the server is the person bringing you the food you ordered. I can think of at least 25 things that could be done to that food when the diner is an arsehole or an asshole in America.
Listening to loud music without your earbuds or headphones. So, you think your music taste is great? Perfect, go study music, become a DJ or a producer, but please don’t shove your music taste onto other people who would rather listen to silence than the latest remix of your favourite song while sitting on a bus, tram, or subway traveling home from work or school.
Texting while driving. Just don’t do this one. You’re risking your life and someone else’s life for a text, it’s not worth it. For many years driving while texting on your mobile device has been illegal. Phone calls are allowed but only if the driver is not holding the device, and making a call doesn't require the driver to manipulate the device physically. Just don’t do this one.
Grocery shopping. Not putting items back on the proper shelves in grocery stores is a lack of common sense or respect for others. Just because you decided you don’t need an item anymore doesn’t mean somebody else should have to put it back in its original place. The lack of common sense can create extra work for the already exhausted staff.
Leaving a mess after yourself. No matter, if it’s your office, public bathroom, a hotel room, or a clothing store, leaving your things all over the place, is just rude. You’re not entitled to having people pick up after you unless you are paying them to do so.
Standing on the wrong side of an escalator. The rules may be different in other countries. In the United States, when taking an escalator, you stand on the right so that people can pass on the left. In Australia, the country down under, you would stand on the left so people can pass on the right. This month I have a true friend visiting from San Francisco asked me, "Why do people here walk on the wrong side of the streets?" On arriving in Australia I learned two rules, one, look to your right then left before crossing a street. Second, when walking, I learned to notice which way cars were traveling. For example, if cars are going the same way as you are walking - then, that's the side of the street or sidewalk where you should be walking, either to the left or right side. Does anyone follow that rule anywhere? I would say hardly.
Swiping right when someone hands you their phone to see a photo. Most people only want to show you one picture of something being talked about. To be polite, permission should be requested.
Not cleaning up after your dog. Picking up poop and throwing it away takes way less time than stepping in it and cleaning it up, not to mention getting rid of the smell. So, the moral of this is if you want a dog, understand that it comes with a poop that you’ll have to pick up.
Not washing your hands after using the toilet. Nobody wants to touch your hands after you use the toilet, and it’s even worse since nobody is ever sure who washed their hands and who didn’t. It takes less than a minute to wash or sanitise your hands.
Manspreading. This one is rather simple - just close your legs.
Personal Hygiene. Personal hygiene isn’t something people should need to be reminded about. Don’t forget to think about others when thinking about skipping a shower for a week or more. Remember to wear deodorant every day or at least when planning to be in the company of others.
Ignoring elderly, disabled, and pregnant people. We have all been exhausted after a difficult day on the job and may tend to ignore people standing if we are lucky enough to have a seat. I get it, it happens a lot. The next time you are in this situation, offer someone who would benefit from sitting down. Watch their face light up with gratitude and you will never forget the experience, and neither will they.
Blocking the sidewalk. Just today when picking up a few items at my local grocery outlet 2 people were standing in the middle of the pathway talking to each other, laughing, and looking at their phones, no one could get around them. After seeing the expression on each of the 12 people's faces as they walked by, the couple looked annoyed.
In conclusion, common sense courtesy isn't just a relic of the past; it's a timeless guide that continues to illuminate our path forward. By embracing its principles of reason, practicality, and empathy, we can navigate the complexities of our world with clarity and conviction. Let's remember that while knowledge may evolve and situations may change, the wisdom of common sense and common courtesy remains a steadfast compass, guiding us toward better decision-making.
So, is common sense a gift or a curse?
